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Helen Flores - The Philippine Star
April 22, 2026 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has named former interior and local government chief Mel Senen Sarmiento as presidential adviser on peace, reconciliation and unity (OPAPRU), replacing Carlito Galvez Jr. who has retired.
In a statement, Galvez said he is stepping down from his post “to attend to the health” of his wife and spend more time with his family.
His retirement follows the resignation of Eduardo Año as national security adviser. Both of them served as Cabinet members during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte.
“I shall step down from public office after 46 years of unbroken service to our nation. This decision is borne of a personal necessity to attend to the health of my wife and to devote myself to my family - a commitment that is, perhaps, long overdue,” Galvez said.
Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said Sarmiento’s background equips him well for his new task.
Sarmiento headed the Department of the Interior and Local Government under Benigno Aquino III.
“With security and normalization milestones largely in place, the process now enters a phase that calls for civilian leadership – centered on reconciliation, local governance and socio-economic reintegration,” Castro said at a press briefing.
“This is especially vital in the Bangsamoro as it moves toward its first parliamentary elections and the full realization of the Comprehensive Agreement,” she said.
“The administration reaffirms its abiding commitment to a just and lasting peace and calls on all peace partners, stakeholders and communities to stand with Secretary Sarmiento as he takes up this vital work,” she said. — Roel Pareño
